The annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrates the best talent in television and streaming, may be postponed this year. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have called for strikes in the industry, affecting the production and organization of the awards. These strikes are the first joint action by the two unions since 1960.
Postponement and Lack of Official Announcement
Variety reports that the Primetime Emmy Awards, originally scheduled for September 18, will no longer take place on that date. However, the Television Academy and cable network Fox, responsible for broadcasting the 75th edition of the awards, have not made an official announcement regarding the changes. It is expected that the awards will be postponed for the first time in twenty years.
Past Rescheduling
The Primetime Emmy Awards were previously rescheduled in 2001 in response to the September 11 terror attacks. Following this event, the ceremony was delayed by two months. This year’s postponement is a result of the ongoing strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, making it necessary to adjust the awards ceremony’s timeline.
Impact of the Pandemic on the Awards
In 2020, the awards were held in a hybrid format due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jimmy Kimmel hosted the ceremony from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, while nominees joined virtually from their homes and other remote locations. However, this year’s delay is solely due to the strikes affecting the industry.
The Reason for the Strikes
Approximately 65,000 actors and 11,500 screenwriters are currently on strike, demanding better working conditions and higher wages. The vast majority of these actors earn less than $27,000 per year from their screen work. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA are seeking improvements in wages, minimum pay, the number of writers per show, and the duration of exclusive contracts. These unions are in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the studios and streaming services.
With the ongoing strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, the Primetime Emmy Awards are likely to be postponed from their planned date. The Television Academy and Fox have yet to make an official announcement. It is uncertain when the awards will take place, but it is expected to be the first time in two decades that the Emmys have been rescheduled. The strikes highlight the need for better working conditions and fairer remuneration for actors and screenwriters, and negotiations with the industry’s representatives are still ongoing.
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